Many with cystic fibrosis (CF), acute asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, late effects of poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, myotonic disorders, anterior horn cell diseases, myopathies or disorders of the diaphragm use High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) vests, also known as Airway Clearance Systems, as a daily part of their life for an airway clearance protocol routine. A vest looks similar to a life jacket used in water sports and is made out of soft, flexible material similar to the material that is used for blood pressure cuffs. It promotes airway clearance and improvement of bronchial drainage by enhancing mobilization of bronchial secretions.
What is the AffloVest?
This newer style of HFCWO vest features built-in individual oscillating mechanical modules to allow freedom of movement to travel, work, and play in without the restrictive hoses or heavy generators because of its innovative battery pack. This makes it completely portable. It can also run off of AC and DC outlet power to allow the battery to recharge or to use while at home or in a car. Plus, the individual can sit, stand or lie down while the vest operates. The treatment goals are to break up the mucus and help bring it to the upper airways so it can be coughed out or removed with suction. The built-in oscillating modules create gentle pressure and vibration on the chest to break up the mucus so it is thinner, create “mini coughs” in the lungs to help push the mucus out, and make the cilia move faster to help carry the loosened mucus to the upper airways.
This vest has oscillating motors to create 8 individual pressure wave forms to provide lung disruptions and mobilize more secretions. These motors allow the vest to target different areas of the lungs, especially commonly missed areas by traditional treatments, such as the pectoral line and below. The individual can breathe normally during the treatment because there is no squeezing and compression, and the vest will not “ride up” on the torso. There is no minimum age requirement to use the vest, as long as a child’s chest measurement is big enough for the vest to fit properly.
What are Advantages of High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation?
An HFCWO vest offers a great alternative or addition to manual chest physiotherapy (CPT). The treatment can be done without any help and it does not require any skill, so every treatment is performed correctly. Also, during the treatment an individual has freedom to do other things because there are no special positioning or breathing techniques required and it treats all the lobes of the lung at one time resulting in a shorter treatment time when compared to manual CPT.
A new study confirms results of improving lung function with the AffloVest by International Biophysics. Average FVC, FEV1, and FEF 25-75% scores increased by 15.22%, 17.41%, and 11.21% respectively. This vest only weighs around 10 pounds (depending on the size), is quiet while in operation, and is available in 7 sizes.
It has 9 setting variations comprising 3 treatment settings of Percussion, Vibration, and Drainage with 3 intensity levels at each setting of Soft, Medium, and Intense. In the Percussion program, all motors operate in a Chest Physical Therapy-like mode with percussion of the upper body with regular rhythm. In the Vibration program, all motors operate at the same time at the selected intensity level with deep oscillation of the thoracic cavity. In the Drainage program, individual zones are activated in sequence with the oscillation traveling up and down the thoracic cavity. The treatments are not uncomfortable for the individual because all they feel are vibrations, and it generally only requires 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Rehabmart is proud to offer the AffloVest from our esteemed vendor, International Biophysics Corporation.
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
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